Volume 6, Numbers 1-2, 9-20, DOI: 10.1023/A:1025910528583

Urban forest and environmental inequality in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Marcos A. Pedlowski, Victor Andrade Carneiro Da Silva, Janie Jasmim Corabi Adell and Nikolas C. Heynen

From the issue entitled "Special Issue: Ecological Implications of Urban-Rural Linkages in Developing Countries"

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Abstract

Social and spatial inequality regarding environmental resources and services is one of most complex issues affecting contemporary urban life. The objective of this research is to study the spatial distribution of trees in public areas in Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This research presents data gathered in ten neighborhoods in Campos. These neighborhoods were split into three distinct groups using wealth levels. Data obtained include the number of trees and private gardens and tree species diversity per neighborhood street. Our results demonstrate that the wealthier neighborhoods have both the highest tree biodiversity and number of trees. In contrast, the poorer neighborhoods present a low biodiversity level and fewer tree species. Our results also showed that age of the neighborhoods was not a factor in explaining the number of trees in public spaces. Socioeconomic and education levels of the population seem to play a more causal on tree quantity and species diversity. This inequality stresses a problem with environmental justice, a characteristic of Brazilian cities intrinsically connected to urban sustainability.

urban forest - tree planting - spatial segregation - environmental justice - biodiversity

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